Staff Report #5 – Service Implementation Update – New Express Route 95

Staff Report #5

March 27, 2024

To All Commissioners

Re: Service Implementation Update – New Express Route 95

Recommendation

The report be NOTED and FILED.

Background

The following report provides an update regarding the status of the implementation of the previously approved 2021 and 2022 service plan changes for the Conventional service.

As discussed in previous reports, there was no service growth budget allocated to 2023 given the deferral in implementing the 2021 and 2022 service plans as the result of the pandemic and related resource shortages. The plan for 2023 was to implement the deferred service improvements as resources became available throughout the year, versus waiting until September to implement all changes at once.

While the majority of the outstanding service changes (29,000 hours of the approved 36,000 hours) were implemented by the end of 2023, approved changes to Routes 24 and 95 were further deferred due to ongoing resource challenges.

The new 95 Express route operating between White Oaks Mall and Fanshawe College along Bradley, Highbury and Oxford will be implemented with the spring schedule changes effective April 28, 2024. The route will operate during weekday peak periods on a 30 minute frequency providing additional capacity along the Route 10 Highbury corridor as well as provide a direct connection between the Fanshawe South Campus and the London Campus on Oxford.

Increased weekday frequency on Route 24 from 40 minutes to 30 minutes all day will be implemented in September along with the recommended 2024 service plan changes (See Staff Report #6 dated March 27, 2024).

A communications campaign for both the spring and fall service changes is being developed and will include onboard posters as well as information on the London Transit website and social media.

Recommended by:

Katie Burns, Director of Planning

Concurred in by:

Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager